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Visiting the City of Light and looking for the best vegetarian food to try? Keep reading for my top picks!
I’ve been a vegetarian since 2008 and have traveled the world without eating meat. When I moved to Paris in 2024, I had already visited a number of times, so I knew that there would be some fabulous food for me to enjoy in the French capital.
One of the biggest mistakes that I see people make when they visit Paris is to assume, “It’s Paris! All of the food must be great, so we can eat anywhere.” Unfortunately, not only is this not true, but there are some businesses who prey on this mindset and sell awful, overpriced junk to unsuspecting visitors – almost always near tourist attractions.
So, the key to eating well in Paris is to know both what to try and where to try it. In this post, I’ll share all of the best vegetarian-friendly foods to try in the French capital, including a mix of classics and international fare.
Table of Contents
Best Vegetarian Foods to Try in Paris
How Can I Find Good Vegetarian Food in Paris?
How to Ask for Vegetarian Food in Paris
FAQs
Conclusion
19 Best Vegetarian Foods to Try in Paris
This list is a compilation of my favorite foods to have in Paris as a vegetarian. From boulangerie (French bakery) classics to popular international restaurants, these are my favorite spots and meals to have throughout the city. Consider this my little black book of places I’d take you if we were exploring Paris together!
1. Traditional Galettes
Starting off strong, we have galettes – traditional, savory French crepes made from buckwheat flour and traditionally filled with toppings like meats, cheeses, vegetables, and egg. Originally, galettes are from Brittany in the north of France but they’re popular in Paris and widely available.
If you want to try a traditional French galette, vegetarian options are pretty easy to find. My favorite spot is the slightly upscale Breizh Cafe, which typically has at least one vegetarian option on the menu. I typically order a seasonable vegetable, cheese, and egg galette with a side salad and a glass of dry cider.
La Crêperie de Josselin in the 14th arrondissement is also a great option, and it has a more traditional and old school feel than Breizh.
Where to Try It: Breizh Cafe (multiple locations)
What to Order: Galette with Seasonal Vegetables, Egg, and Cheese
2. Savory Crepes (Street Food Version)
The savory crepes from Au P’tit Grec might seem similar to those at Breizh, but as you can see from the photos they’re pretty different experiences. While the Breizh galettes are served flat on a plate, the street version from Au P’tit Grec is handheld and stuffed with toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, and onions.
I prefer the basic chevre (goat cheese) or feta version, but they have more elaborate menu options. The best part? A crepe from Au P’tit Grec will only set you back about €6.
If you visit Au P’tit Grec, chances are you’ll spend time standing in a long line, inching towards the counter where you’ll watch as crepes are made on the two round plates facing the street. Au P’tit Grec occasionally takes cards, but they’re often cash only.
Where to Try It: Au P’tit Grec
What to Order: Feta Savory Crepe with Salad, Onions, and Tomatoes
3. Sweet Crepes
You’ll see stands and small shops offering sweet crepes with toppings like banana, lemon, and Nutella all around Paris. I implore you not to get a crepe at the first one you see because it probably will underwhelm you. There is no guarantee that a crepe will be delicious just because it was made and served in a city that is famous for its food. You still have to work to find the right one.
I strongly recommend going to a creperie, like Cafe Breizh or La Crêperie de Josselin. You’re looking for a mix of 1) lots of French being spoken and 2) lots of foot traffic.
Once you get here, you’ll have lots of options for different styles of sweet crepes. My favorite sweet crepes are simple: I love a butter and sugar crepe or a salted caramel crepe. If nutella, ice cream, whipped cream, or a combination thereof are your jam – go for it!
Where to Try It: Breizh Café (any location will work)
What to Order: Sugar and Butter Crepe (if you’re asking me)
4. French Hot Chocolate
When I used to visit Paris before I moved to the city, no trip was complete without at least one stop for hot chocolate at Angelina Paris. The hot chocolate here is thick, rich, creamy, and delightfully chocolatey. It’s unlike any other chocolate I’ve had before and I can’t get enough.
You can sit inside, but I think the interior is a bit overrated and overpriced. I prefer to wait in the much shorter line for a takeaway hot chocolate, then drink it walking through the Tuileries Garden. In the summer, go for a cold chocolate from Angelina’s – it’s the same as their hot chocolate, just chilled.
Where to Try It: Angelina Paris
What to Order: Hot Chocolate
5. Croissant au Beurre
A croissant au beurre is really just the full name for a croissant in French. These buttery pastries are available all over Paris, but I usually just grab one from the local boulanger and eat it at home with butter and jam.
I will say, however, that the croissants from La Maison d’Isabelle (which won an award back in 2018) are particularly tasty.
To be sure that you’re getting a butter croissant and not one made with margarine or other shortenings, make sure it is straight and not crescent shaped. In France, any croissant made without pure butter must have the edges curled in to make a curved shape – normally called a “croissant ordinaire” in French. So, straight is the way to go.
Where to Try It: La Maison d’Isabelle
What to Order: Croissant
6. Pain au Chocolat
As you may know, a pain au chocolat is a chocolate croissant – and they’re definitely worth a try in Paris. Traditionally, these pastries are made with the same laminated dough as a traditional croissant, but with the addition of two small chocolate sticks. I personally prefer a pain au chocolat to a croissant, but I suggest you try both.
You can tell a pain au chocolat immediately by its rectangular shape with a flat, slightly shiny top layer. In Paris, these pastries are usually about €1.35 each.
Where to Try It: La Maison d’Isabelle
What to Order: Pain au Chocolat
7. Cheese Plate
You probably know that French cheese is worth trying when you’re in Paris, but it can be hard to know what to get – especially if you just go to the grocery store. For that reason, I recommend getting a cheese plate at least once in Paris.
Most French restaurants will have a cheese plate on the menu because it is its own course in traditional French meals. But if you just want to grab a cheese plate to try without the rest of the dinner, I suggest visiting a wine bar. You can order a glass of wine (if you drink alcohol) and a plate of cheese, potentially along with other snacks like olives or tapas.
Good to know: many places intentionally won’t serve water with cheese plates. I’ve been told that this is because the French believe water makes the cheese sit more heavily in your stomach than if you only drink wine.
I had a great cheese plate and cocktails at the QUINZERIE – which has a rooftop patio with an Eiffel Tower view (!). Another option that’s more lowkey is Les flacons in the Latin Quarter.
Where to Try It: QUINZERIE – Hôtel et Bar de Quartier
What to Order: Wine and a Cheese Plate
8. Falafel
Paris has one really fabulous Falafel spot that is absolutely worth trying when you’re in the city. L’as du Fallafel serves very fresh, high quality falafel sandwiches and other Middle Eastern food in the heart of Le Marais – Paris’ traditionally Jewish quarter.
My favorite thing to order is a falafel sandwich, which is always made with freshly fried falafel balls, perfectly seasoned sauces, and optional hot sauce. If I can, I prefer to eat inside but the sandwiches are also good if you take them down to sit by the River Seine or in a local park.
L’as du Fallafel typically has two lines out the door – one for take away orders, another for dining in. Make sure you’re standing in the right line!
Where to Try It: L’As du Fallafel
What to Order: Falafel Sandwich
9. Baguette Tradition
You probably planned to order at least one baguette when you’re in Paris – the traditional loaves of bread are almost synonymous with French culture. The key to getting the best baguette in any bakery in Paris is knowing what to order – always ask for the “baguette tradition” and not just a baguette.
There are specific laws that govern what can be called a baguette tradition – it has to be baked on site and can only have four ingredients: flour, water, salt, and yeast. They cannot be frozen or have any additional additives or preservatives. So, these are the baguettes you want to try.
There are great baguettes around Paris, but each year there’s a contest to determine the best in the city. The winner for 2024 is Bakery Utopie, which makes a slightly fermented baguette that truly is exceptional. The result is a delicious and uniquely craveable baguette that’s worth a try when you’re in Paris.
Where to Try It: Bakery Utopie
What to Order: A Baguette Tradition
10. Veggie Burger
I know that veggie burgers are divisive amongst vegetarians (I think others have the same side eye towards them that I have towards “chicken alfredo, hold the chicken” because they’re often the only thing on the menu). The thing is, I don’t feel the same way – I love a veggie burger.
There are several great veggie burgers in Paris, but my runaway favorite is Dumbo. They have a few locations in Paris, but not all of them have a space for you to eat onsite so I prefer the Petites-Écuries location. Or, you can grab a burger and walk ~15 minutes to the Canal Saint-Martin and eat by the water on a nice day.
Dumbo has my favorite kind of menu: a short one. They make cheeseburgers, earth burgers, and french fries. That’s it. And, they seem to be doing something right because there’s often a crowd of people waiting for their orders.
Where to Try It: Dumbo
What to Order: Earth Burger
11. Quiche
Like a croissant or veggie burger, you’ve probably had a quiche before visiting Paris. This dish is classically French, but its roots are less clear and might have even been Roman. The most classical version of a quiche is the quiche lorraine, which is made with eggs, cream, and bacon.
In Paris, however, you can find plenty of vegetarian quiche options if you go looking for them – often at your local boulangerie. The best version I’ve tried in Paris was at Boulangerie LIBERTÉ, a local chain of bakeries with a location not far from the Eiffel Tower. They typically have a few quiche flavors if you go in the morning, often including at least one vegetarian option.
Where to Try It: Boulangerie LIBERTÉ
What to Order: Vegetarian Quiche
12. Cream Puffs
Traditional cream puffs are made with choux pastry and a cream filling, but there’s actually quite a lot of variety in the cream puffs in Paris. You can find a version of this sweet treat in nearly any boulangerie or patisserie in the city.
One of my favorite cream puff places in Paris is Popelini, where they make small choux puffs and fill them with a more pudding-like cream that is intensely flavored. I often stop when I see a Popelini to grab one of their passion fruit cream puffs because they’re so delicious (but the rose flavor is a close second).
The cream puff pictured is a special edition from Popelini that also includes a chantilly cream filling.
Another option for very simple and traditional cream puffs is Dunes Blanches Chez Pascal Paris Marais. They only come in a few flavors and they’re exquisite.
Where to Try It: Popelini (Multiple Locations)
What to Order: Passion Fruit Cream Puff
13. Madeleine
Listen, if you’ve ever tried a madeleine from the grocery store and thought it was just a dense, strangely-shaped bit of pound cake, I can’t blame you. I still like them, but I could understand being uninspired.
There is a spot in Paris, however, that makes the dreamiest, crispiest, most delicate madeleines – and I think everyone ought to try them.
At Le Comptoir de Madeleine, they specialize exclusively in madeleines and only sell a few flavors each day. They’re best when they’re fresh. My favorite flavors are salted caramel and vanilla, but I don’t think you can go wrong.
Where to Try It: Le Comptoir de Madeleine
What to Order: A Madeleine
14. French Butter
Did you know that, similar to Ireland, the French are famous for their butter?
My absolute favorite French butter is actually served as a complimentary side at a fish tapas bar. I like to go with my friends when they get oysters and sip wine while I enjoy the complimentary bread and butter. If you’re not going with someone ordering oysters or fish, just order a small cheese plate.
If you can’t get to L’Avant Comptoir de la Mer, just grab a block of butter from the grocery store. I like the salted butter from Paysan Breton that comes in a red package, and I’ve flown with it before (pack it in a Ziplock bag in case it melts).
Where to Try It: L’Avant Comptoir de la Mer
What to Order: Wine (bread and butter are complementary)
15. American Style Breakfast
As someone who has been living abroad for many years, I can assure you that American style diner food is pretty hard to find in Europe. It can be even harder to find American style diner food with an upscale tilt – which is exactly what Holybelly offers.
This delightful little restaurant has a simple menu with slightly Frenchified versions of American diner foods, like scrambled eggs with salad and hashbrowns. They also have pancakes with sweet or savory accompaniments and a few specials.
I love to order a drip coffee (rare and a little nostalgic in Europe!) along with the 2 Eggs and 2 Sides. My favorite combo is the salad and hashbrowns, but the mushrooms are also very tasty. Oh, and they have hot sauce and real maple syrup!
Where to Try It: Holybelly
What to Order: 2 Eggs & 2 Sides (but this is the sort of place where everything is good)
16. Raclette Cheese
Paris is a wonderful place to visit at Christmas Time, and one of the foods you’ll see around the holidays is raclette cheese. This strong cheese is usually melted and served over bread or potatoes, creating a dish that looks like what we know in the US as fondue.
It’s a traditional dish that originally hails from the Alps in Switzerland, but is popular all over France. I will admit it’s not my absolute favorite cheese, but it’s worth a try when you’re in Paris during the wintertime.
You can try a vegan version of a similar dish, a tartiflette, at Hank Burger in Le Marais. While a tartiflette is traditionally made with bacon and Reblochon cheese, the Hankiflette is served with veggie bacon and caramelized onions.
Where to Try It: Tuileries Garden Christmas Market
What to Order: Raclette Over Potatoes
17. French Macaron
Like a few other dishes on this list, you’ve probably tried French macarons before – but you may not have had them in Paris. The French macaron is an airy almond cookie filled with a rich jam or ganache. They’re available all over the city, from boulangeries to specialty stores like Lauderée and Pierre Hermé.
My personal favorite macarons are from Pierre Hermé. I love the very bright and rich fillings, perfectly fresh texture, and variety of flavors at this spot. I always pick flavors based on my mood, but I’m partial to the chocolate and passionfruit, pistachio, and rose macarons.
From Lauderée, I almost always grab a black sesame macaron and a few other flavors to try. If traveling on a budget, the pack of macarons from LA PARISIENNE are also very good.
Note: Macarons must be eaten within a few days of purchase. They typically don’t contain any preservatives and will get very stale very quickly. Don’t save them to savor them later; have them right away.
Where to Try It: Pierre Hermé (Multiple Locations)
What to Order: A Macaron
18. Kebab
Germany is undoubtedly best known for its kebab street food, but I’m here to tell you that there are some truly fabulous options in Paris. GASP! I’d argue some of the Parisian spots are even better than one of the most famous spots in Berlin.
My favorite spot is Impact Berliner Kebap in the 11th arrondissement. This little shop has a small menu, very limited seating, and some of the best vegetarian kebab sandwiches anywhere. I love the halloumi döner kebab, which is made with deep fried halloumi and vegetables, feta cheese, fresh veggies, and a sauce of your choice. You can add on a drink and/or fries if you’d like.
There is a seitan version, too, so the döner can be made vegan.
Where to Try It: Impact Berliner Kebap
What to Order: Halloumi Döner Kebab
19. Potato Dauphinoise
Potato Dauphinoise is, essentially, a potato gratin dish that is made with scalloped potatoes. Unlike gratin, however, it typically does not contain cheese – instead, it’s only made with cream. It’s a slightly gooey, potato-y, delicious side dish that is very traditionally French.
I like to get the Potato Dauphinoise from Picard, a frozen food store chain in Paris that my partner’s foodie grandmother swore by. It is marked “vegetarian” on the front – be sure to look for that one, as very similar looking potato dishes have ham in them. If you want a quick and affordable snack or very small meal, you can grab one and eat it up in your hotel room or Airbnb.
Where to Try It: Le Potager du Marais
What to Order: Potato Dauphinoise
How Can I Find Good Vegetarian Food in Paris?
Paris can be relatively easy to navigate as a vegetarian, but you have to be willing to do some research. The best advice I can give you is to find someone you trust and try some spots that they choose for you. This is how I tend to find new places to try, and it’s the easiest way to find some great food while you’re visiting Paris.
You can go with a journalist’s list (think: Bon Appetit, the New York Times, etc) or a smaller blogger/TikToker. Then, search within the menus at the top spots for vegetarian options and scrutinize the reviews. Here’s my list, which has a few more spots than I included in this post of specific foods to try.
I almost always check for the following terms before trying a new spot:
- “Vegetarian”
- “Vegan”
- “Veggie”
- “Food poisoning’
- “Sick”
Just so I know what I’m getting into. I usually won’t eat anywhere that has a mention of food poisoning or illness within the last year, just to be safe (but sometimes I still take my chances).
Travel/AI Hack: If you go to a restaurant with a menu that you can copy/paste into an AI chatbot like ChatGPT, you can ask the AI to analyze the menu for vegetarian-friendly options. This is a nice hack if you don’t speak any French, because sometimes the names of cheese and meats can look rather similar.
Of course, double check with your server that the foods you chose are vegetarian – AI makes mistakes!
How to Ask for Vegetarian Food in Paris
You can ask for vegetarian food in Paris by saying, “Avez-vous des plats végétariens?” in French.
Personally, though, I prefer to read the menu (you can use the camera feature on Google Translate to make this quicker) and find vegetarian dishes myself. Then, when I go to order, I ask the waiter, “Est-ce que [the dish I chose] est végétarien?”
Just like in the US or other parts of the English-speaking world, non-vegetarians can be confused about what is or is not vegetarian/vegan, so I like to do most of the work myself.
As a tip: if you ever don’t know what a word is on a menu and it isn’t translating – do a regular old Google search or Google Image search. It’s probably a type of meat or a type of cheese.
FAQs: Best Vegetarian Foods to Try in Paris
Looking for the best vegetarian foods to try in Paris and still have questions? Here are the answers to some of the top queries from other travelers.
Where can I get a decent salad in Paris?
Most places in France that have salads really just serve lettuce leaves with a light dressing, as salads loaded with other veggies and toppings aren’t common in traditional restaurants. For a salad with lots of toppings, my go -to spot in Paris is Cosi, a small chain of restaurants that specialize in salad and sandwiches.
They have a signature salad with olive tapenade, onions, tomatoes, and sprouts that is served with a side of really tasty bread.
Is Paris OK for vegetarians?
Paris isn’t the easiest city in the world for vegetarians, but you should be fine – especially if you’re willing to travel around. There are some stunning vegetarian restaurants in Paris and other restaurants that merely serve vegetarian options. The hardest meal to navigate in Paris is dinner at a traditional French restaurant.
They may not have any vegetarian options on the menu, so I like to always check before I go to avoid this problem. If there won’t be anything for me to eat, I usually choose another spot for dinner.
Is it easy to get vegetarian food in France?
In most French cities, you won’t have trouble finding vegetarian restaurants or spots that offer vegetarian options. Cities like Bordeaux and Lyon have great food and I never had a problem finding something great to eat when visiting.
The countryside, however, can definitely be tougher to navigate with dietary restrictions. Do some research by looking at the restaurants you find on Google Maps in the area and searching reviews for “vegetarian” or “vegan.” If you’re worried about not having enough options, I would definitely swing by a grocery store and pick up some staples so that you’re never stuck without anything to eat.
A tip: if you’re ever really in a bind, look for an Indian restaurant. They will almost always have vegetarian and vegan options.
What is the best city in France for vegetarians?
Paris is the best city in France for vegetarians because it boasts the widest variety of foods and restaurants, including lots of international options. Because vegetarianism and veganism are becoming so popular, it’s common for restaurants of all types to have at least one option for those with dietary restrictions.
Conclusion: Best Vegetarian Foods to Try in Paris
Paris is rightfully known for its classic dishes made with meat and fish, but that doesn’t mean that it’s an impossible city to navigate as a vegetarian. Instead, there are lots of great vegetarian foods to try, from traditional dishes to international fare.
The best parts of Paris for vegetarians are going to be the youngest areas, including Le Marais, the Latin Quarter, and Montmartre/Pigalle. A number of young Parisians are vegetarian or trying to eat less meat, so there’s a consistent market for meatless options in the French capital.
This is not to say that every restaurant will have vegetarian options. Do carefully read the menu and ask whether dishes are vegetarian – including whether they contain fish – when ordering. I also recommend doing a quick check of the recent reviews on Google Maps for mentions of “vegetarian,” “vegan,” or “veggie” options.
